Ralph Lauren - an American classic

One of the most legendary American designers of our time, Ralph Lauren is a name synonymous with classic style, simple elegance, and preppy chic. From what started as humble beginnings has now become a worldwide phenomenon, with a range of products including women and men’s clothing, baby wear, children’s wear, RL Home, Ralph Lauren perfume and even a restaurant based in the heart of Chicago. Ralph Lauren is no longer a brand of clothing, but a way of life.

A star is born

Ralph Lauren (born Ralph Lifshitz) was born and raised in the Bronx, New York, by his parents who had emigrated from Belarus. He grew up in a working class neighborhood with his three brothers, mother and father (a house painter). While they were by no means poor, Ralph knew the value of a dollar from an early age and was blessed with a steadfast determination to make money and be successful. By his early teens, he was working after school jobs so that he could save up to buy expensive suits.

The beginning of Polo

His love of smart dress continued to grow, and he eventually went to study business at the City University of New York. After two years, Lauren decided to leave the program and after a two year stint in the army, he went back to focusing on men’s fashion. Working at the time manufacturer A. Rivetz & Co., Lauren ventured into design for the first time, creating a tie that was wider that the ones currently on the market. In 1967, Ralph Lauren found a financial backer and launched his own neckwear boutique, where he sold his own wide tie designs along with other brands. He named his tie collection Polo, and so began the launch of his fashion empire.

From suits to bed sheets

The Ralph Lauren brand catapulted to success in the 80s, starting with his men’s collection that introduced the iconic power suit to the market. Although many other fashion houses were doing power suits at the time, people couldn’t get enough of the Polo image - wealth, sophistication and class. His clothing was made of the highest quality of materials, boasted precision tailoring, and had a timeless look that was unique to the Polo brand. Casual wear was also a big seller for the RL brand, epitomizing the preppy chic look that was popular in the 80s. The brand went on to launch women’s wear and Ralph Lauren home – bed sheets, towels and furniture all with the classic American style that the Polo/Ralph Lauren brand was known for.

The Polo brand expands

After 42 years in business, the Ralph Lauren brand is still going strong. The newer additions to the RL family include shoes, baby and children’s wear, a funkier casual line called Rugby and the very successful fragrance line. After its launch in 1978, Polo for men is still a top seller, while the women’s line has numerous successes such as Romance, Notorious, Pure Turquoise and Love.

From a line of wide ties to a $900 million dollar empire, Ralph Lauren has achieved worldwide domination with his brand based on American casual chic. A visionary designer with a sharp business sense, Ralph Lauren has successfully created a timeless brand that is pure class - without the flash. A visionary designer who has captured the essence of the American spirit in everything from his clothing to his perfumes, Ralph Lauren is an American fashion icon